Project DEFY-Design Education For Yourself, India

Project name: Project DEFY - Design Education For Yourself

Project location: Bengaluru, Mangalore (Karnataka, India) and Kochi (Kerela, India)

Website: http://www.projectdefy.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProjDEFY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/projectdefy

Project description:

DEFY enables creation of choice by democratising the second stage of inequality (assuming the first stage to be 'where one is born') aka education. It tries to bring education back into the hands of the people, so that they are able to create and customise the best education that works for them and their context. This makes most sense especially for contexts where freedoms are threatened and resources are scant.
We create self-learning spaces called Nooks. Nooks are created >>within<< underserved, isolated and marginalised communities, and are controlled and managed by the communities. They do not need experts or teachers; rather the learners learn using their own curiosities, interests and needs. Nooks are provisioned with laptops, an Internet connection, simple tools for building and lots of trash. We create an environment to foster curiosity and develop a routine to learn without pressure and supervision, but together as a community through our induction programs.
Each learner makes projects of his/her own interests together with other, takings inspiration from the Internet and surroundings. These projects vary from Science and Technology, to Arts and Music, to Farming and Cooking. The learner practically decides "What, When and How" to learn.
The outcome of such learning is different for different learners. While some may develop their ideas to products or enterprises, others may use their skills to get better jobs or higher education.  

Goal and purpose of the project:

The project aims at enabling communities to create their own education based on their own needs and interests. The Nooks in Bengaluru, Mangalore and Kochi will serve different underserved communities that are marginalised for various reasons. The Nooks will help the learners develop skills, build entrepreneurial and job opportunities and most importantly bring disconnected communities together on a platform of collaboration, and help them solve their own problems, together.

Motivation of the applicant / applicant team:

What started as an experiment in a village with kids handling smart phones with no instructions and guidance graduated to handling laptops & exploring the web. With some simple tools, they began making several interesting projects, made from waste & easily available local material. People choosing their own area of interest, having fun filled learning, building and interacting with the community, and being more productive than traditional schooling became my inspiration to start Project DEFY.

Use of prize money

The funds will be used for -

1. improving facilities/infrastructure at the Bangalore Nook (40%)
2. creating a permanent Mangalore Nook (30%)
3. minor program support for Kochi Nook (10%)
4. expanding capacity with the Project DEFY organisation to enable creation of more Nooks (20%)